Social Work Online

About the Program

Southwest Minnesota State University’s Social Work Program offers a Bachelor of Science: Social Work degree in beginning generalist social work practice. A Bachelor of Social Work education combines liberal arts with professional social work foundation content to prepare to work effectively with individuals, families, small groups, communities, and organizations. The SMSU social work major is an accredited program through the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). To ensure professional quality, accredited programs must meet rigorous academic standards to gain and maintain accreditation from the CSWE. To that end SMSU students apply for admission to the Social Work Program in their sophomore or junior year and must meet formal admission requirements, which include completion of required courses and a minimum grade point average.

Cost & Financial Aid

Online tuition rates are affordable and banded for full time student enrollments.
SMSU offers in-state tuition to nearly everyone. No out-state rates. Reciprocity rates may apply.
U.S. Citizens & eligible noncitizens can apply for federal aid with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
Minnesota residents completing the FAFSA will also be considered for Minnesota State Grant and Federal Direct loan funds as well.
SMSU offers a variety of Scholarships that students can apply for!
Return on investment! SMSU graduates have a 99% Employment Rate within 6 months of graduation!

Students wishing to be considered for admission to Southwest Minnesota State University must present the following information:

Completed application for admission and a non-refundable application fee of $20.
Self-report GPA and/or standardized test scores (ACT or SAT)

Note: Final high school transcripts, complete with date of graduation, must be submitted to the Office of Admission prior to enrollment.

Transfer students wishing to be considered for admission to Southwest Minnesota State University must present the following information:

Completed Application for Admission and non-refundable application fee of $20.
Official transcripts from each post-secondary institution attended outside the MinnState System, transcripts must be sent directly from each institution to the Southwest Minnesota State University Office of Admission.

Online Student Services
Supporting Your Success!

Careers In Social Work

Southwest Minnesota State’s social work major prepares students for graduate study and for positions in a number of practice settings such as public and private social service agencies, hospitals, nursing home/hospice programs, outpatient facilities, residential care facilities, courts/criminal justice programs, elementary/secondary schools, vocational rehabilitation programs, and psychiatric institutions. Social workers provide services in the following areas: children and youth, services to the aged, family services, group services, medical and health care, mental health, developmental disabilities, mental retardation, alcohol and substance abuse, corrections, criminal justice, school social work, employment-related services, public assistance/public welfare, and community organization and planning services.